Press Release - ICES strengthens its role in transatlantic cooperation

ICES continues to strengthen its status as a strategic cooperation partner in the Transatlantic Ocean Research Alliance between the European Union, Canada, and the United States of America.

Published:
28 October 2014

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​​​​​​​​"For more than 100 years, ICES has been the established organization for transatlantic cooperation on marine science issues. We have 4000 scientists, on both sides of the Atlantic, working together to provide the best available science for decision-makers to make informed choices on the sustainable use of the marine environment and ecosystems", explained ICES First Vice-President Cornelius Hammer, who leads ICES work on maritime transatlantic cooperation.

"ICES offers its network, working groups, and infrastructure as a platform to the Transatlantic Ocean Research Alliance to further cooperation and meet the political initiatives recently declared in the Galway Statement", Hammer stated.

The
statement was made at the annual ICES Council ​meeting held 22–23 October in
Copenhagen, Denmark. The Council, ICES principal decision and policy-making
body, consists of two delegates from each of the 20 member countries and is led
by the President, Dr. Paul Connolly.​

"This annual meeting gives ICES member countries the opportunity to measure progress in advancing the provision of the scientific knowledge for the sustainable use of the seas, and to assess the implementation of the ICES Strategic Plan", said Connolly.

Arctic and aquaculture in focus

The Council decided to further strengthen the organization's role in Arctic and aquaculture activities. ICES will organize a dialogue meeting in 2015 with stakeholders to discuss how it can provide the scientific advice needed to support sustainability in the growing aquaculture industry.

Deputy Executive Secretary Jan René Larsen from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) - one of six working groups under the Arctic Council - gave feedback to the Delegates' meeting on how ICES can further contribute to Arctic Council's scientific work. Since its inception in 1991, AMAP has used ICES monitoring guidelines, data management, and assessment frameworks. In the future, both ICES and AMAP plan to establish further joint initiatives to assess changes in the Arctic marine environment, and collaborate on the development of Arctic integrated ecosystem assessments.

New Vice-Presidents

Four new Vice-Presidents were elected to ICES Bureau, the executive body of the Council: Kai Myrberg (Finland), Pierre Petitgas (France), Jóhann Sigurjónsson (Iceland), and Tammo Bult (the Netherlands) will start their 3-year term on 1 November 2014.